Electric switch



M y 12, 1 G. H. DERRICK 1,304,748

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed March 19, 1928 INVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y.

Patented May 12, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE E. DERRICK,DECEASED, LATE OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, BY VICTORY A.

DERRICK, EXECUTRIX, 0F OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN-MENTS, TO INSTOGRAPI-I, LTD., A CORPORATION ELECTRIC SWITCH Applicationfiled March 19, 1928.

This invention relates to switches for mak ing and breaking contact inan electric circuit.

The primary object of the invention is to construct a switch orcontacting members so that the contacts of the circuit will beautomatically wiped and thereby cleaned by the operation of the switchmember in making and breaking contact.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings which form a part of this application and inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the device showing the switch with thecontacts in open position.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the structure showing the switch in closedposition.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

For a more comprehensive and clearer understanding of the invention,reference will now be had to the reference characters of the drawings inwhich like reference characters indicate like parts throu hout theseveral fig ures of the drawings. Reference character 1 indicates a baseof any suitable kind by which the device may be supported. 2 is anelectromagnet having wire 3 for energizing the magnet by a current ofelectricity there by making and breaking the circuit through contacts 4of the magnet and 5 of the switch member 6. Switch member 6 has currentwire 7 attached thereto in any suitable manner as at 8. Standard 9pivotally supports switch member 6 in any suitable manner as, forinstance, pivotal connection 10 with standard 9 shown in Figs. 1 and 2.Spring 11 having its upper end attached to switch member 6 as at 12 andits lower end attached to base 1 as at 13 is for the purpose of rockingswitch member 6 on its pivot 10 and thereby drawing contacting member 5away from contacting member 4 of the electromagnet when theelectromagnet is deenergized.

Serial No. 262,902.

Switch member 6 is composed of two flexible strips 14 and 15 bent at anangle as shown at 16 intermediate the standard 9 and electromagnet 2forming an expandible angle for lengthening the switch member or switchmember 6 may be curved upwardly between the standard and theelectromagnet, either of which constructions will impart to contactingmember 5 a sliding or wiping movement over the face of contact 4 carriedby the electromagnet 2 when the parts are snapped together by thestraightening of the switch member 6 at the point of angle 16 or thestraightening out of the curve in the switch intermediate the standardand the electromagnet, which sliding or wiping movement automaticallywipes the faces of the contacting members keeping them clean.

Strip 14 is provided at its outer extremity with spacing member 5a whichholds strips 14 and 15 in spaced relation. It will be readily understoodthat when the electromagnet 2 is energized it will draw contactingmember 5 of strip 15 into contact with contact 4 of the electromagnet 2thereby magnetizing strip 15 which will exert a magnetic force on strip14 toward strip 15 which will cause a straightening of the angle 16therein which strai htening results in a wiping action of the contactmember 4 of the electromagnet by the contact member 5 of the strip 15,which straightening will also cause a wiping movement of the spacingmember 5a of strip 15 at the point of its contact therewith.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A relay switch comprising a base, an electromagnet supported by thebase, a spring controlled armature including contiguous strips of springmetal bent upwardly from the base intermediate their ends and a spacingmember interposed between the ends of the strips.

2. A relay switch comprising an electromagnet, a standard spaced fromthe magnet,

an armature pivotally related to the standard, said armature includingtwo spaced apart spring metal strips bent upwardly intermediate theends, a contact carried by the 5 electromagnet and a contact carried bythe strips.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

VICTORY A. DERRICK Emeeutrz'a; of the Last Will and Testament of GeorgeH. Derrick, Deceased.

